William Fotheringham's preview of stage 17

The last chance for the climbers to try anything. The Port de Bales is a typical long, steep Pyrenean pass and it's followed by a fast descent and an abrupt transition to the climb up to the finish. If it's wet that will be particularly grim. The time triallists will know they have only to control the race with Saturday to come; the climbers will be desperate to gain time.

Preamble:Boring is how some people have described this race, largely because of the lack of changes at the top of the classification: only two men have worn the yellow jersey so far, the fewest number after 16 stages since 1999 (when it was donned only by Jaan Kirsipuu and some Lance somebody or other). Today probably represents Vincenzo Nibali's last opportunity to grab the coveted garment but if Sky keep on a leash as tightly as they did yesterday, then chances are that only insubordination by Chris Froome can prevent Bradley Wiggins from topping the podium in Paris.

There will be plenty of scope of climbers to attack today, as the 143km route takes in four peaks - including the hors categorie Port de Bales at the 111km mark - before 15.4km uphill trek to the finish in Peyragudes, which, movie fans, is where the opening sequence of the James Bond's Tomorrow Never Dies was filmed. Say, what is the best cycling movie ever made? Or, perhaps more fun, what famous movies, Bond or otherwise, could be reworked to feature cycling or the Tour? A View to a Hill? LeMond is not Enough? Oliver Stone's Peloton? Yes, I'm here all day ...

11.50am: We'll be following the stage right from the start today" it gets under way in 10 minutes.

11.55am: "Watch out for Zubledia today," tips Marco Grandi. "he's sitting in fifth position but we have really not seen much of him. He is Basque so expect a move from him today. Also his team Radioshack has three other riders in the top 20… best classified team (better than Sky … if you excuse the Wiggo-Froome 1-2)."

12.01pm: Off they roll and immediately Marcus Berghart attempts to a breakaway and several riders set off in hot pursuit. Then they all slow it down again. Just some limbering up, is all. "Re the last comment from Marco Grandi," beigns Sergio Teixeira. "If Radio Shack is the best classified team, one can only imagine how'd they'd be doing if they paid their riders' salaries eh?"

12.05pm: The 153 remaining riders are stretched out along the raod like a mulitcoloured snake. Some uppity types are making half-hearted breaks at the front but really the first real gaps probably won't start to appear until the Col de Menté at 27km. "On the subject of cycling movies, I'd like to mention that I'm a big fan of the classic musical Singin' Indurain," chirps Charlie Wright.

12.11pm: The weather is clement so far, but it began that way back in 1971, which is the last time the Cole de Menté was included in the Tour - and a sudden thunderstorm dastardised the route and caused the yellow jersey leader Luis Ocana to crash, resulting in his having to withdraw from the race. "Belleville Rendezvous is not technically a cycling movie but it features the kidnap of two struggling cyclists," reveals Matthew Worral. "Very French!" Meanwhile, in-form Charlie Weright has returned with these zingers: "A Froome with a View, Orson Welles' timeless cycling epic Citizen Chain and the Luxembourg-set spy drama The 39 Schlecks…"

12.17pm: Albasini has decided to make a break for it and has surged about 200m in front. There's lots of ducking and diving the chasing pack but no real concerted effrot to reel the Orica rider in yet.

12.23pm: Albasini has been hauled back in at the 14km mark. "Cycling movies?" blurts David Bates. "I thought Mel Gibson was very good in Mad Merckx."

12.24pm: Grivko is at the front as they begin the 9.3km ascent of Col de Menté. "The best film to feature the tour itself is surely George Sluizer's 1988 film, The Vanishing, in which the Tour battle between Fignon and Hinault plays out on the radio like some sinister parallel tete a tete to the on-screen sociopath vs victim battle of wills," lectures Simon Killick. "Belleville Rendezvous is a little charmer too."

12.28pm: Voeckler and Kessiakoff are to the fore as they continue to scale the Cole de Menté but still the peloton is close behind. Twelve riders, however, have already been dropped. "Don't know if they ever made a film of it, but the tour gets a nice look-in towards the end of Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night (I only know this cos I've just finished reading it)," drawls Dave Westacott from a beach in Crete. "The half-shaved Dick and half-haircut Nicole are dragged out of the hairdresser's and into a 'quiet' hotel bar to 'have out' their marital break up with Nicole's new lover in a civilised way --- when the Tour comes blasting through and all evey waiter cook and bottlewasher come pouring out to watch. Nice description of the peleton circa 1929 there is too."

12.34pm: A group of some 30 riders has started to put some distance (a few hundred metres) between them and the peloton. Voeckler, Sorensen, Valverde, Menchov and Kessiakoff all figure prominently. "Although I'm sure Team Sky have chosen their lovely team colours for a specific reason (probably related to extensive scientific research), can anyone explain how riding around France in July wearing black is a good idea?" wonders James Thomson

12.38pm: Cobo Acebo has been dropped by all the chief contenders for the polka dot jersey are in the leading group. Low cloud is making the road very damp. "Wind in the Wiggos?" toots Tim concisely.

12.40pm: The breakaway group is now 16'' ahead of the peloton and moving briskly. "American Flyers (with Kevin Costner) stands out for being the only movie I've ever seen that's actually about cycling (a stage race in America, but still) and then there's Team Sky who came in from the Col," booms Stephen Brett, setting a new low for Tour/movie puns.

12.44pm: The peloton - 12 seconds back - is being whittled down at a quite a clatter now, with many riders suffering as Menchov sets a sterling pace with a few kilometers till to go before they reach the top of the Cole de Menté. "We need to give a mention to Paddington Abroad," demands Adam Fletcher. "As the online summary I've dug up of Chapter 7 - 'Paddington Takes To The Road' says"

There is great excitement when the famous Tour de France bicycle race is due to pass through the village of St. Castille but Mrs. Bird's suspicions about Paddington's odd behaviour are confirmed when the cyclists finally appear, complete with Paddington in their midst. The missing brakes on his hired tricycle nearly cause a disaster but there are cheers all round when he wins a special prize for the fastest ride down the hill into the village.

12.49pm: Rolland takes to the front now, with Vockler and Kessiakoff just behind. The competition for mountain points is intense and 10 points are on offer for to the rider who reaches the top of the Col de Menté first. It's just one kilometer away. "Re. James Thomson's question about why Sky wear black jerseys - in very hot/sunny conditions it can actually be more cooling to wear black, as opposed to white, as the heat absorbed encourages more sweating, which cools the skin more effectively," helpful Selena Class teaches us. "Although there's a slightly different explanation here."

12.51pm: It looks like the race to the top will be won by either Kessiakoff or Voeckler, who have opened up a lead of a few seconds over all the others. And the man in the polka dot jersey (that's Voeckler for those of you not paying attention) gets there first, then collects a newspaper to stuff up his jersey as he launches into the descent. "Julie Christie was great in Doctor Shimano," chortles Rob McMinn. To which Adrian Chaffey replies: "Shimano de Bergerac?".

12.54pm: The road is slippery and now dense mist has enveloped the Col, complicating the descent even further. Will anyone dare to chance a breakaway in such conditions? As you ponder that, get a load of this from Brian Dunleavy: "My favourite movie line of all time has to be when Marlon Brando gave his speech about the race: 'I could have been a Contador...'"

1.00pm: This is interesting: the four-strong leading group of Valverde, Kessiakoff, Voeckler and Costa has jsut been joined by Nibali, who is clearly trying to get the jump on Wiggins and Froome, who are at least 30 seconds back in the peloton. Sky will have to respond to this because Nibali is travelling at a cracking speed. "Hinaults What You Did Last Summer," wonders John Thurstans.

1.04pm: The yellow jersey group are trying to respond to the gauntlet hurled down by Niblai and have cut the gap to 24 seconds. "What about the Chris Froome biopic: Brad Lieutenant?" wibbles Tom Bromley.

1.07pm: Nibali has slowed down, accepting that he was not going to be allowed to get away this time. On Eurosport Sean Kelly reckons that Valverde, Voeckler and the others in the small leading group will have told him to curb his enthusiasm so that the peloton does not reel them in too. So Nibali has dropped back, presumabkly to try again later. There are still 103km and four climbs to come: Kelly reckons he needs to get a lead of at least a minute during a descent before he can consider sustaining a break. "Better I stick to weather forecast," confesses Marco Grandi, whom you may remember from 12.01pm. "Zubeldia was in difficulty over the first climb and was dropped by the main peloton….This opens up the fifth position to other riders."

1.20pm: A seven-strong group featuring Voeckler, Kessiakoff, Peraud, Casar, Valverde, Costa and Martinez is now just over a minute ahead of an 11-strong chasing packing including Sorensen, Ten Dam and Hoogerland. The peloton, featuring the GC leaders, is a further 30 seconds back. "Without wishing to tempt fate in any way, nobody has mentioned the name of this summer's Bond movie," notes Iain Chambers. "It's called Skyfall."

1.24pm: The leaders have begun the 6km category 2 climb up the Col des Ares. Meanwhile, Selena Class's explanation (and accompanying link) at 1249pm for wearing black in summer has triggered as storm of scorn in my inbox. Owen Harris was restrained enough to express his objection thus: "The understanding of physics of this argument is flawed. White keeps us cool because it reflects the suns light stopping the heating effect of that light reaching us. (whereas black absorbs this energy which heats us up/. The article states that wearing white reflects body heat / energy back to the wearer 'cooking' them. Unless the person is emitting enormous amounts of light energy I don't think this explanation works. I think team Sky chose black because it is intimidating. It is rarely used in other sports (like football) as it is hard to pick out players against the background of the crowd but this is not important in cycling."

1.30pm: Ten Dan, Hoggerland and Weeenin are leading the attempt to chase down the leaders, who are now 1'41'' ahead of the yellow jersey group. "The Tour de France features a couple of times in Amélie (or Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain if you want the original title)," perks up Robbie Piper. "One line in it is 'Luck is like the Tour de France. You wait, and it flashes past you. You have to catch it while you can.' Which is what I'm doing instead of working."

1.35pm: Voeckler is again first to the top, again beating Kessiakoff with a well-timed dash. On the descent, Weening is not happy with the attempts of the main chasing pack to reel in the seven leaders so sets off to join them by himself. They're 1'21'' ahead of the yellow jersey pack. "Ten things I hate about Ventoux"? ventures Matthew Trim.

1.40pm: Weening has successfully joined the leaders, meaning the eifght-strong front group is 38 seconds ahead of nine chasers and 1'51'' ahead ofthe yellow jersey group. "I appreciate Kelly's Heroes is probably a little too obvious," admitrs Jonathan Wood. "But I certainly enjoyed the film made for lovers of cycling sprints: For Whom Zabel Toils."

1.47pm: 77km to go, the eight leaders are 2'27 ahead of the yellow jersey pack and it is looking increasingly likely that if there is to be any significant moves at the top of the general classification, it will have to come during the ascent of descent of the Port de Bales, which beings in just over 45km. "Relating to the comments at 1:24 regarding Team Sky's jersey, it may be worth remembering that the jersey has a white back," interjects Pete Stokes. "I'd imagine this gives them the best of both worlds - reflection from the sun on the back, and heat dissipation from the front. Also it seems Team Sky's mountain jerseys are reflective according to this".

1.56pm: The front two group have merged into one big one (17 riders), jsut over three mintues ahead of the peloton. "Has anyone seen The Peloton Brief?" guffaws Angus Davidson.

2.01pm: The leaders have just begn scaling the short category 2 jaunt up Cote de Burs, still three minutes ahead of the yellow jersey. "They Shoot Hors-Categories, Don't They?" parps shameless Chris Bond.

2.04pm: Poor old Kessiakoff: he's been pipped to the top by Voeckler yet again. By my reckoning that means the Frenchman now has a nine point lead as he attempts to hang on to the polka dot jersey. "Mrs Voekler is following the tour with the kids in a camper van," reports Guy Butters. "Seems that much as cyclists may not be like footballers, cycling WAGs may also be a different breed."

2.07pm: At this point I would like to point out to an alarming number of you emailers who pretend to be following this report that we published the Froome with a View and Singing Indurain quips about an hour ago. Stop making me read it again. And again. And again. "You want the truth?" asks Ronan O'Connor. "You can't handle[bar] the truth..."

2.13pm: The peloton is startign to gain ground on the breakaway group, cutting their lead to 2'10''. The port de Bales is now just 30km away. "I know Voeckler is mercurial, inconsistent, and, like any clean rider, has off days," begins Simon Brooke. "I'm aware of the rumours which describe him as the 'most unpopular man in the peloton'; I know he's had a nagging knee injury which has reduced his performance this year. But... two stage wins, King of the Mountains, and fourth overall last (besides having held yellow for ten days last year). If the French built a team around Voeckler as Sky have around Wiggins, we'd have a real race on our hands."

2.15pm: Liquigas have their entire team at the front of the peloton as we begin a 10km rise to the starta of the ascent of the Port de Bales. It seems they're preparing to put Nibali in the best possible position for one last crack at Wiggins and Froome. "Also, while the colour of your flowing djellabah might be relevant when you're having a bit of a Lawrence of Arabia moment, I am pretty sure that when you're ascending a Pyrenean mountain in 30 plus degrees, near MHR, with sweat pouring off... the impact of different coloured lycra on your body temperature is lost in the rounding error," quibbles Gwyn Jones.

2.19pm: Kadri beat Casar in the intermediate sprint but the focus now is firmly on both the King of the Mountain battle - in which Vockler could strike a decisive blow over his pursuers on the enxt climb - and, of coruse, the yellow jersey, at which Nibali's team are preparing a serious tilt. Here, courtesy of James Dart, is a picture of Voeckler with his kids around their camper fans after yesterday's stage. And here, courtesy of James Cavell, is a counter to Simon Brooke's assertion at 2.13pm. "Unfortunately Voeckler is not a good time triallist. Plus if he was riding as a contender he wouldn't be able to either risk the attacks he makes, or be allowed to get away by the Sky Train."

2.23pm: Mark Cavendish and Richie Porte have come off their bikes following some sort of clash missed by the cameras. Cavendish quickly clambers back on but has his work cut out to rejoin the peloton, while Porte is slower to recover. "I've always been fond of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's rather odd post-apocalyptic film, Cadelicatessen," hollers Rob Marriott.

2.31pm: At the front of the leading pack, 2'56'' ahead of the peloton, Voeckler is right on Kessiakoff's back wheel as they draw nearer to the beginning of the 11.7km climb up Port de Bales. The road is still damp and Sean Kelly on Eurosport reckons this climb and descent could really shake things up. "I have performed a careful find-in-page search and am confident that no one has yert recommended the movie Meet the Voecklers," booms Nick Honeywell.

2.37pm: Kadri, Izzaguirre and Azanza have pulled 41 seconds away from the other 14 erstwhile leaders as they are about a third of the way up the Port de Bales. The peloton is a further 2'10" back and things are getting increasingly intriguing there as Wiggins starts to look uncomfortable. Sean Kelly reckons he's bluffing. "Not a speck of irony or humour here," drones Michael Tweed without specifying whether he is referring to his own email or our combined rolling reportage. "I've just got to recommend the greatest cycling film of all time: Tran Anh Hung's masterful Cyclo. Stunningly powerful and beautiful film it is. Here's the trailer."

2.41pm: Up the Port de Bales and David Jarman puts in a strong bid for the newly-created Brown Jersey, which will be awarded to the submittor of the foulest movie/cycling pun of the Tour. "I grew up near Stanley Kubrick's country manor in Hertfordshire," begins David. "He made Eisel Wide Shut, Full Yellow Jacket and Spartacavendish." Spartacavendish? SPARTACAVENDISH??! Stinking.

2.45pm: Izzaguirre and Kadri are now the lone leaders, 17 seconds ahead of 15 chasers. Jsut over two minutes back is the peloton, where Liquigas remain clustered at the front, with Wiggins just behind, now looking comfortable again.

2.51pm: Izzaguirre and Kadri are still 16 seconds in front but there are still 9km of this punishing climb to go. "Katusha on a Hot Tin Roof?" screeches Jack Fortescue.

2.57pm: Costa is looking strong as surges into the lead, a little ahead of five chasers (Izaguirre, Kadri, Leipheimer, Valverde and Martinez). They are 40 seconds ahead of the seven-strong Voeckler-led group and two minutes ahead of the peloton, which is dropping riders but still led by Liquigas and Wiggins. "Dark Knight Rises is out this weekend," bawls Patrick Goodlet. "Who's up for a "Bradman" Wiggins double bill?"

3.04pm: Five km to the summit and Wiggins and Liquigas remains inseparable, and the gap between them and Costa at the front is coming down, now under the two minute mark. Meanwhile, the battle for the Brown Jersey is steaming up. "I would love to re-watch the Irish kung fu epic on two wheels... Roche Hour," spews Richard Milner. "some Bike it Hot," discharges Marie Meyer.

3.07pm: Valverde has joined his team-mate Costa at the front and they are 25 seconds ahead of Leipheimer and Martinez, who have a small lead over Kadri and Izaguirre. Voeckler is in a group of seven a little further back, while the yellow jersey pack are two minutes off the front.

3.14pm: As the riders - with Valverde still in front - get closer to the top of the Col, they will surely be pleased that the sun has dried out the previously damp road, which should make the descent safer. That, presumably, is where Nibali will make his last big attack.

3.18pm: Valverde cuts between the throngs at the top of the hill to become the first man over, by about 40 seconds. That's 25 points for him but of far greater significance in terms of the King of the Mountain battle is the fact that Voeckler again pulled away from Kissiakoff as they neared the summit to claim 20 points (Kissiakoff got 16). "The photo at the top of the page illustrates Sky's detailed planning," intones Peter Jones. "After the Porte/Cav crash no one could get a feed bag to Wiggins so he is obviously eating the instant energy frame of his glasses!"

3.22pm: To confirm: Voeckler nows has an overall lead of 11 points over Kissiakoff in the mountain classification. Meanwhile, Valverde is whizzing through the clouds on his way down the Col, with a lead of over a minute. "May I suggest the great Kiezlowski trilogy," pleads Alistair Connor. "Three colours: Yellow / Green / White with red polka dots."

3.31pm: Valverde is still out in front, 2'28" ahead of the peloton and 45 seconds ahead of his nearest pursuers, Costa and Martinez. There's various riders scattered in between that pair and the peloton. As yet, however, there is no sign of an attack from Nibali. "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Froome?" shrieks Matthew West. "Raiders of the Lost Lab?" snarks Ayo Akemi.

3.35pm: Valverde has put in an almighty effort to open up a lead over 90 seconds but how much does he have left in the tank as he begins the final climb of the day, towards the finish in Peyragudes? "The best cycling movie ever made has to be Boardman of Alcatraz, surely?" squawks Sarah Williams.

3.44pm: A dozen kilometers to go and Valverde has a lead of just over two minutes to the chasing group, and the GC leaders all remain together another 30 seconds or so back. Sorensen, herocially, is keeping in touch with that group despite being bloodied and clearly in pain folowing an earlier tumble. He's currently 14th overall and he's not about to let something as trifling as intense agony deprive him of that standing.

3.50pm: "Sky are working really well together," detects keen-eyed Rick Eriksson. "Maybe Liquigas as well but the other teams seems full of individuals. Voeckler is a great rider but not very liked it seems so cannot build a team around him who will fight for him. Rolland is a great rider too so that team is talented. Do people think Wiggins is in this position because of the team? I think so, and he's a great rider as well of course but too many riders are forgetting this is a team game or they haven't been managed properly.. .. only my thoughts as a novice.. voekler is just happy to take an inferior jersey and have his noggin in the paper for a couple of days instead of trying to win the tour." Speaking of individuals, Valverde has done superbly to stay out in front for so long but as he enters the last 10km, the peloton, who have alraedy absorbed all the other chasers, are now just 2'09" behind.

3.59pm: Valverde's leads is being gobbled up, it's down to 1'30" with 7km to go. Cadel Evans, meanwhile, has been dropped by the yellow jersey group, compounding the anguish he endured yesterday. Meanwhile, kind readers, if you haven't yet done a good deed today, you might like to consider supporting this: "My girlfriend's brother, who is just 18, is cycling from Liverpool to Leeds in a day shortly to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis," announces Ian Williams. "He isn't a trained cyclist but he's doing it to raise money after seeing the condition affect a close family member. Like most 18 year old lads, he hasn't exactly done a great job of being organised and promoting it - so if we could sneak a mention on to the live blog that would be a huge help! The fundraising page is here."

4.02pm: Pinot has mounted an attack, bursting out of the peloton in a bid to track down Valverde. Van Garderen and a couple of others try to go with him, but - and here's a thing - Nibali appears to be struggling and is starting to drift away from Wiggins and Co.

4.05pm: Froome and Wiggins are now leading the chasing pack, who are cutting it a bit fine if they are going to overtaken Valverde, who is 1'20" ahead with 3.4km to go. Unless something extraordinary happens, the Spaniard looks set to be rewarded with a stage victory for his marvellous solo effort.

4.09pm: Wiggins and Froome are twisting the knife here, working in tandem at the head ofthe chasing pack to leave Nibali in their wake ... and possibly even catch Valverde, who appears to have hit a metaphorical wall and is now only 45 seconds aheads with 2.3km to go. A thrilling finale is on the cards here ... and Froome knows it, he's keeps turning to Wiggins to urge him to carry on.

4.11pm: This is fascinating. Froome clearly has more speed here and would have a good chance of claiming a stage win here but Wiggins is slightly slower and appears content to merely finish ahead of Nibali, who is lagging badly now. Valverde is 35 seconds ahead of Froome and Wiggins with 1.5km to go as the road flattens for the run-in. "I wish Wiggins would let Froome go!" howls Samantha Rajasingham and probably many more.

4.13pm: Pinot has joined Wiggins and Froome, who are 25 seconds behind as they enter the alst kilometer. Valverde is tantalisingly close ....

4.15pm: Valverde crosses in first place, sealing a deserved stage victory. The selfless Froome rolls in 19 seconds behind, and just in front of Wiggins. Nibali was 19 seconds further back. Van Garderen crosses shortly thereafter to keep hold of the Best Young Rider's jersey in the face of stern competition from Pinot. Roche rolls in a little later and may move higher up the GC Top Ten depending on how much time others lose.

4.20pm: I'll bring you the final stage ranking and the updated general classification in a mo, but firstly, on behalf of Ian Williams and his girlfriend's brother, let me thank all of you who, apparently, immediately went to the fundraising page mentioend at 3.59pm to make a contribution to a grand cause. What a lovely bunch you are. It almost makes up for the awful movie puns you contributed to this here rolling report :D "It's alraedy been a massive help so far: we're so grateful and want to send a big 'thanks' to the readers!" adds Ian WIlliams just in time.

4.24pm: "By not letting Froome go, is Wiggins worried about the final time trial?" wonders Sheldon Ferguson. "Retaining Froome up the mountain is not going to help with the animosity stakes. I am sure Froome will feel he has done a sterling job and should be allowed another moment in the sun." A Sky representative is being asked about that on TV right now and pretty much all he says is "the plan was to stay together", adding "maybe Bradley was on the limit."

Froome talking to Eurosport, asked why he waited, the ultiamte team player replies: "We weren't here focusing on stages. Our objective is to win the Tour overall. We have that secure up to this point so we have done a good job so far." Asked if he thought he could have won the stage, he replies: "I don't know, that wasn't our objective." He also says that he was "definitely expecting Nibali to attack but on the last climb I could see that his legs weren't looking that super so I said to Bradley, come on, let's go."